Tad Newtons Jazzfriends

TAD NEWTON'S JAZZFRIENDS

Establishing themselves as one of the most respected and entertaining outfits on the British jazz scene, with their adventurous and eclectic repertoire gaining plaudits wherever they perform, Tad Newton’s Jazzfriends have headlined at Upton On Severn Jazz Festival, Birmingham Jazz Festival, Bromyard Music Festival, Fest-Jazz in Brittany France, Wellingborough Jazz Festival, Wantage Jazz Club, Keswick Jazz Festival, Debenham Festival, and recently made five highly successful appearances at The Spice Of Life Jazz Club. 

His byline is 'BASIN STREET TO HARLEM'.  A special concert dedicated to the great jazz influences, composers and players featured with jazz luminaries such as Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, Earl Hines, Duke Ellington,Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Johnny Hodges, Lester Young.

Tomas Pedersen (bass)
Tomas started playing double-bass in 1971 when he started studying classical bass in Denmark. After only one year of hard practice he joined the Danish Radio Youth Symphony Orchestra. At this point his interest in Jazz grew and he began playing in Jazz Clubs all over Denmark and Scandinavia with leading Danish bands. In 1977 he went to sea playing onboard cruise ships – travelling all over the world, playing shows, jazz and light classical music. At this time Tomas had the opportunity to accompany several several great Jazz artists such as Mel Thorme, Joe Williams, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Red Rodney and Ira Sullivan. Tomas moved to England in 1991 and soon got busy playing a great variety of music from Big Band, Traditional Jazz, Swing, Mainstream, Pop, Rock to Blues and Soul. In his time in England Tomas has fortunate enough to work with many great British Jazz musicians such as Bill LeSage, Allan Barnes Roger Nobes, Bobby Ore, Jim Douglas, Keith Smith, Martin Litton, Trevor Whiting, Bobby Worth, Jimmy Hastings and many more. Tomas has been associated with Tad Newton’s Jazz Friends since 1996.

Alan Haughton (piano)
Alan studied at the Royal Academy of Music , where he was a prizewinner, and where he performed both solo and concerto concerts in the Dukes Hall, studying with Leslie England and Max Pirani. He has held various teaching posts and was Deputy Head at Hazeldene School, Bedford for many years. He also taught jazz and classical piano at Bedford High School. He now just concentrates on performing. Alan is an established composer/performer and has had over sixty albums published by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Kevin Mayhew Publishers and Oxford University Press. In addition to his classical work he has been musical director for Annie Get Your Gun, Cabaret, No, No,Nanette and Blood Brothers.He is an established jazz pianist having worked with John Dankworth, the Terry Lightfoot Band, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Three Men on Third, Tad Newton's Jazz Friends, Richard Exall, Amy Roberts, Roy Williams, Alan Barnes, Denise Gordon, Simon Spillett, Greg Abate,Tina May to name but a few, as well as running his own band.

Ronnie Fenn (drums)
Ronnie’s eclectic life as a drummer began as a teenager in the heady days of the ‘60’s with life on the road in pop, soul, rock and roll and skiffle bands. This took him to Europe on a regular basis and on several occasions even to Dubai. Ronnie has played for many famous stars on the entertainment scene. In recent years Ronnie has been creating an enviable reputation on the British jazz scene. His huge and good natured experience has made Ronnie the ideal drummer for the Jazzfriends' where his intimate knowledge of the rhythmic intricacy of the many jazz styles superbly enhance the Jazzfriends' performances. Ronnie’s main drumming influences have been Buddy Rich, Art Blakey, Sonny Payne, Cozy Cole and anyone who “swings”.
When not playing drums, Ronnie enjoys a peaceful life on his narrow boat on the Grand Union Canal!

Richard Exall (clarinet/sax)
Richard studied clarinet at the Royal College of Music with international soloist Michael Collins. Self-taught on saxophone, he formed his own jazz quartet and big band while still at college and quickly became a familiar figure on the London jazz scene, playing with a wide range of bands and artists from the National Youth Jazz Orchestra to the Ink Spots. Later Richard played  with the London Symphonietta among others, and finding regular work in the West End. Joining forces with American trombone player Rob Killips, he was a founder member of the jazz quintet 'Root Position', which soon established itself as one of Europe’s best young jazz groups. In 1997 Richard toured the United States and Europe with Jesus Alemany’s renowned band Cubanismo, in which he had the honour of being the only non-Cuban member. He was also a regular musician with Orchestra La Clave, Robin Jones’ King Salsa, Viramundo, Roberto Pla and Tumbaito. Richard worked alongside many of the great names in the Latin music world including Carlos Del Puerto, Mario Rivera, Orlando Watussi, Tito Allen, Alfredo Rodriguez and Tata Guines. He has has worked with most of the established big bands, such as The Glenn Miller Orchestra (UK), The Ross Mitchell Band and Singers, The Memphis Belle Orchestra, Freddie Staff’s Manhattan Big Band, the London Swing Orchestra and The Nelson Riddle Orchestra (UK). In the late 1990’s Richard became a more regular name in the vintage jazz fraternity playing regularly with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra and the Charleston Chasers. Richard became a regular member of the Big Chris Barber Band in 2004, touring throughout Europe, leaving at the end of 2014 to focus on his own career. He has performed with contemporary jazz groups and classical ensembles such as the Mike Westbrook big band, Hugh Warren’s Barrel Organ Band, The London Jazz Composers Orchestra, the Matrix Ensemble and a performance at the Barbican Centre with the world-famous Big Carla Bley Band.  His recording and touring credits include The United Funk Organisation, William Orbit, PJ Proby, Martha Reeves, The Selector, Beat International and Ronnie Spector. More recently, Richard has worked with Kenny Ball and toured with American pianist Johnny Varro’s Swing Seven throughout Germany and Switzerland. Cruises with both The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and The Syd Lawrence  Orchestra to Norway, the Mediterranean and South Africa have been highlights. And he runs his own band “Richard Exall’s Shooting Stars” which is a favourite at jazz clubs and festivals.  Other recent projects include “The Krupa Connection”; a trio dedicated to the music of Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman. “The Magnificent Seven” ; a hard-core swing/Latin, traditional/mainstream band formed from the top players on the jazz scene today. “Sugar Ray’s Lucky Strikes”, Jackson Sloan and The Rhythmtones, and the award-winning Amy Roberts/Richard Exall Quintet.